EAN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to education and activism aimed at achieving greater social and environmental justice in our American society. We are fortunate to be guided by a talented, experienced group of dedicated elders.
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Board
Bill DeVincenzi
Debbie Mytels
John Izzo
John Sorensen
Kathryn Ringham
Ken Read-Brown
Leslie Wharton
Lynne Iser
Teri Whitehair
Tim Dutton
Bill DeVincenzi
Throughout a career in accounting and finance, along with teaching at San Jose State University Business School, I’ve always had a strong interest in ethics and the environment. In retirement, I am pursuing the existential threat of our time, the climate crisis. I serve as Faculty in Residence for Sustainability at SJSU; I am also a Climate Reality Project presenter and founder of my community’s Sustainable Villages Club. I devote my climate and sustainable-living efforts to my wife of 54 years, our two children, and three grandchildren.
EAN Treasurer
Debbie Mytels
As my children headed to college, I transitioned from being an “education activist” to an “environmentalist.” My life’s mission is to “nurture the growth and development of Life on Earth” – caring for children and protecting the natural world. Now retired from professional work, I’m working to curb climate change. I look for wisdom in the patterns of nature and in social psychology. I find joy in music, gardening, and building relationships with others who share common goals.
John Izzo
John Izzo has been a pioneer in the movement for “business doing good” for thirty years. He is the author of eight books and his 2012 TEDX talk challenged Baby Boomers to commit to leaving a sustainable world for future generations. His life purpose is to “help accelerate the shift of consciousness required for humanity and planet to thrive now and in the future.” He and his partner, Janice Halls, live outside of Victoria, Canada and in Rancho Mirage California. He serves as the co-host of EAN’s The Way Forward podcast; and is excited to join the EAN team.
John Sorensen
I worked for 45 years in the aerospace and transportation sectors as a systems engineer, project manager, and high-tech company founder. When leaving industry in 2009, I knew I wasn’t done. I had a vision for bringing elders together for a higher cause than individual attainment – using the many resources gained throughout our lives. Realizing the immense need to correct America’s social injustices, environmental degradations, and dysfunctional government defined that cause – one worthy of our attention and efforts. That motivated me to invite other elders to join together in what has become our mighty endeavor – Elders Action Network!
EAN Founder, Board Vice-President
Kathryn Ringham
Kathryn enjoys working with and for seniors as a clinical social worker has provided a beneficial background to volunteer with Elders Climate Action in retirement. While a strong interest in climate issues had always been present, it was activated with alarm bells by Al Gore’s Climate Reality training. In 2020, this resulted in the formation and leadership of the ECA chapter in the Twin Cities. As a self-described Climate Feminist and professional change agent, it has proven to be a good fit! Other interests include gender equality and collective actions to pass the Equal Rights Amendment at the state and federal level, seeing grandparenting as a verb with five grandchildren who live “within huggable distance,” exercise of many kinds, and spending outdoor and cozy time at our cabin in northern Minnesota.
Ken Read-Brown
Ken is minister emeritus at First Parish in Hingham, Old Ship Church (Unitarian Universalist), having retired in 2022 after 35 years as minister there. Originally from Long Island in New York, Ken earned a BA in philosophy from Haverford College and Master of Divinity from the Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA. Ken currently serves as co-chair of an interfaith committee which organizes the “Listening to Other Voices” speaker series at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham. His interest in the climate crisis goes back decades, so in retirement he is grateful to be able to volunteer with Elders Climate Action on the Communications Committee and Coordinating Council.
Leslie Wharton
When I first learned about climate change, I trusted that our elected representatives to act for the good of the people. In 2015 I was shocked by how little had been done to address climate change. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and participated in ECA’s Grandparents Climate Action Day. I now serve as Chair of Elders Climate Action and have started a local ECA chapter. We are a wonderful, dedicated community of elder volunteers committed to making a difference while there is still time!
Chair, Elders Climate Action
Lynne Iser
I have always loved life, but now I have a deep fear of the future. Will this beautiful world be here for my granddaughter? As co-founder of the Spiritual Eldering Institute, I know that elders have the perspective, resources, and the inner urging to create a sound legacy. In response, I developed my website, Elder-Activists.org; and, have committed to working with EAN to build a movement of elders addressing the critical issues that threaten the future for my five children.
EAN Board President
Teri Whitehair
As a second-generation Californian, activism for the good of all has been my passion. My career began as an early childhood educator, then an event coordinator (Beyond War Award, Mikhail Gorbachev’s talk in SF), and finally an executive assistant (State of the World Forum). I co-lead Elders for Social Justice and am a member of the San Mateo City Action Team. I find joy in classical music, walking, yoga and our 5 grandchildren.
Tim Dutton
Tim Dutton has a long history of working in the nonprofit sector for healthcare and community change organizations with an emphasis on social justice Early in his career, Tim ran hospitals in Ohio and rural Haiti. For 12 years, he served as the Executive Director of SCOPE, a civic engagement organization in Sarasota County. Tim also served as Director of UNITE Pinellas, an organization focused on system change to improve race equity. He is also a board member with Florida Civic Advance.
Staff
Bryan Scrafford
Crystal Small
Diana Shoemaker
Jen Chandler
Paloma Greenwald
Bryan Scrafford
As someone who grew up in the suburbs of DC, I’ve always been fascinated by how increased participation in the democratic process can have an impact that extends well beyond the ballot box. This concept has stayed with me throughout my almost 20 years working for non profit advocacy organizations that focus on building community while taking concrete actions. Whether it’s through my work on disability rights, LGBTQ equality, climate justice, or so many other issues, I truly believe protecting our democracy and empowering grassroots volunteers have the greatest impact on every major issue facing our communities today. Outside of my advocacy work, I’m an avid baseball fan who also enjoys photography.
Crystal Small
I joined EAN’s staff in 2019 after learning of the position from my Prescott College alumni group. After college in northern Arizona, I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for several years before moving back to the Philadelphia area. I have two adult sons who live in Arizona and Pennsylvania who I visit as often as possible. I am an avid lover of music, traveling, animals, nature and photography, and very much enjoy my daily walks in the woods with my “pack” consisting of two dogs and two cats.
EAN Program & Communications Manager
Diana Shoemaker
I have worked for over 20 years in non-profit and community organizations tackling issues like housing and homelessness; and for the past 10 years at the helm of a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. My experience has shown me that volunteers are the foundation for any successful grassroots movement. In my role as Director of Strategic Development and Planning, I am thrilled to be working alongside volunteers and staff, providing support for EAN’s critical work for social and climate justice.
EAN Executive Director
Jen Chandler
My experience as a teacher and outdoor guide instilled a thirst for lifelong learning and a deep love for the natural world. I am an artist, activist, daughter, sister, (great) auntie, dog mom, and gen-x-er. My passion for activism, nurtured by my mother, has guided my career in the nonprofit sector. Because of my increasing concern about the climate crisis, I have dedicated more than six years to helping to build EAN’s Elders Climate Action.
Director of Operations, Elders Climate Action
Paloma Greenwald
Paloma Greenwald (RN, BSN, MA,) is a public health professional with 25 years of nursing experience, specializing in Spanish-speaking populations, school nursing, elder care, and climate health initiatives. With a Master’s in Public Leadership and certifications from Harvard’s National Public Leadership Institute, Paloma is experienced at addressing the social determinants of health through policy work and climate initiatives at local, state, and federal levels.